REVIEW: ‘The Witch And The Beast’ Episode 10 — “Origin Witch”

With the Demon Sword returning to its rightful caretaker, things feel at ease as The Witch And The Beast (Majo to Yajû) Episode 10, “Origin Witch” begins. But it won’t stay that way for long. When Ashraf (Toshiyuki Morikawa) leaves with Helga (Miyu Tomita) something unexpected happens. Guideau’s (You Taichi) prey appears. But while she has searched doggedly for the witch Angela, she may not be the real hunter here.

This episode’s opening focuses on Ashraf and Helga. As Ashraf leads Helga to a place where she’ll be safe, we learn more about the organization Ashraf serves. While no major details are revealed, we get a better understanding of the scope of the group. As he guides Helga through passages that link locations across the world together, the sheer reach of his group becomes all the more clear.

During their walk, Helga questions the decision to leave Guideau alone. In her experience, the woman is utterly reckless and certain to get into all kinds of trouble. Ashraf assures her that Guideau will be fine. Only a handful of things could prompt her to behave poorly. And what are the odds of one of them happening in the quiet little town they left her in?

The Witch And The Beast Episode 10 wastes little time proving how good the odds are. While the perennially frustrated woman impatiently awaits her partner’s return, she overhears some kids talking. Some of the children claim to have seen a witch. Upon hearing this, Guideau approaches the kids in her uniquely intimidating style, demanding they show her where they observed this witch. Fearing for their lives, the kids hastily comply.

While the individual in question turns out to be no more than a simple herbalist, Guideau’s journey bears some unexpected results. The otherwise pleasant visit gets rudely interrupted by an Executioner. He’s searching for his missing partner, the one Guideau was instrumental in taking down. And he’s bearing his own forbidden instrument. A cloak that gives him access to a separate reality that he controls. As he boasts of his power, the Executioner questions Guideau concerning his missing comrade.

The Witch And The Beast Episode 10  cuts the interrogation short as the impossible happens. A witch appears, casually strolling through this pocket world. When Guideau recognizes the witch, a murderous glint consumes her eyes. There is no doubt this is the witch she has been searching for.

Allowing the revelation a moment to sink in, the narrative cuts away briefly, returning to Ashraf and Helga. Just as they prepare to embark toward Helga’s new safe house, Ashraf is given a letter informing him of Guideau’s imminent danger. She refuses to remain behind while he tells Helga to wait for him. She remembers all Guideau has done for her and insists she repay her debt.

As a character whose earlier presence in the series has been best described as passive, seeing her assert herself feels like growth for her. Where she previously only ran from danger, now she is barreling headlong into it.

When we return to Guideau, the Executioner is gone, leaving her alone with her tormentor, Angela. While Guideau has been relentlessly searching for her, we see here that she is no match for the witch as she is. As Angela toys with her prey, it is impossible not to feel a mixture of chill and disturbance as the scene plays out.

This center point of The Witch And The Beast Episode 10 may be one of the best villain introductions I’ve ever seen. Angela’s casual dismissal of every action Guideau takes brings the character’s presence in the scene to near-suffocating levels. This is coupled with a disturbingly unwholesome sexual energy that permeates the encounter.

Weakened and pinned to the ground, Guideau is subjected to a close inspection by Angela. As the witch licks Guideau’s neck and ear, there is a discomfort that runs down the viewer’s spine. The way Angela so smoothly moves through this moment implies a familiarity with the situation that makes the cruel witch more offputting than anything else could. The questions it raises about what Angela has done to Guideau or others in the past are terrifying as they pierce the viewer’s awareness of the moment.

All of this unsettling energy and visceral discomfort is delivered through masterful animation. How Angela moves as she leans over her helpless prey is as smooth as it is upsetting. While it is often intricate fight sequences that earn animation’s loudest praises, Yokohama Animation Laboratory reminds us that there is far more to delivering impactful visual moments than a fist crushing someone’s face.

During this critical moment, we also learn an important detail about Guideau and why she is so powerful. She is inhabiting Angela’s body. Whether or not it is Guideau’s body the witch is currently in isn’t specified, but it seems likely. This helps explain some of Guideau’s superhuman characteristics. Angela is a witch of immense power, perhaps the strongest there is. That some of that would stay with the body makes a great deal of sense.

By the time Ashraf and Helga arrive, only Guideau remains present. Well, her and what remains of the Executioner’s corpse. As the pair whisk Guideau away, Ashraf fills Helga in on who Angela is. Helga’s shock at the knowledge of who Guideau is entangled with further reinforces the character’s place in witch culture.

As the episode closes, we get an emotional confrontation between Guideau and Asraf. As Guideau recovers from her wounds, she lashes out at her partner for leaving her in the condition he did. Blaming him for how badly things went. While Ashraf manages to use his trademark level-headedness to de-escalate the situation, it isn’t before he is down a few intact ribs. The moment is crafted in such a way that brings the emotional confusion of the pair to the forefront. There is a great amount of anger in the scene, but also care and respect. Even as the scene silently ends, the moment’s tension lingers as the credits begin to roll.

The Witch And The Beast Episode 10 pays off in huge ways for its narrative. It brings Angela to viewers with a level of skill and impact few are likely to forget. The danger she presents is only matched by how disturbing her presence on the screen is. While it crafts an upsetting moment with the villain, it also ensures that fans will eagerly await when she returns. If for no other reason than wishing to see Guideau get to put her in her place.

The Witch And The Beast Episode 10 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.